SEVEN DANGERS (PART VII)
THE DANGERS OF IMMORALITY
“Each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin.”- James 1: 14-15
This is the final piece of the ‘Seven Dangers’ series and it is captioned ‘The Dangers of Immorality’.
Through the previous six pieces, we learnt about the clear and present dangers of idleness, unforgiveness, idolatry, ignorance, ingratitude, and intolerance. We also related how these attributes are inter-related, as one may lead to another; also we have seen through the previous write-ups how believers have neglected these practices and how they have now become impediments in the lives of so many believers.
Immorality can be termed as an act that violates some moral (honest, decent, proper or right) laws, norms or standards. We can also define immorality as an evil or wicked conduct or character trait. Immorality is simply a sinful display (it does not matter if it is concealed to humans or not, because God sees all things).
Immoral acts are usually fuelled by inordinate lusts, emotions and passions. The perpetrator always thinks he/she can control it, but before long it gets out of hand and they lose control and begin to wonder what happened or where did the plan go wrong? My friend, it was wrong from the onset. The story of Samson (Judges 13-16) readily comes to mind; he honestly thought he was in control of the situation until Delilah’s persistence got the better of him and he let out his secret which in turn led to his fall. Such passions and emotions are still destroying Christian lives today. Just as Samson was left dejected, so are many believers today.
One writer correctly stated that immorality begins in the mind and then proceeds to the imagination, and thereafter to our actions. In other words, when we allow our thoughts to dwell too long on inappropriate desires, we will begin to identify with the object of such desires and then physical consent will follow. We must as a matter of all seriousness, control our thoughts; refusal to do so will definitely lead to some sort of immoral acts which is dangerous.
It is no wonder we admonished through the word of God to ‘keep watch over your heart with all care; so you will have life’-Proverbs 4:23 (RSV). The mind is an awesome gift from God, and it should be used to draw us closer to Him through prayer and godly reflection.
Lustful thinking and sexual immorality are two vital areas that have taken stronghold on mankind’s activities in today’s world. Even believers are not spared, as they do not regard ‘visual lust’ to be sinful. Consider this for a moment- Christ stated in Mathew 5:28: “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Does the statement strike a chord in your heart? If it does, you need to ask the Holy Spirit for help to overcome this clear and present danger because the end is disastrous.
There is an old and true saying: “Sin always takes you farther than you want to go, keeps you longer than you want to stay, and costs you more than you are willing to pay.” I got this from (http://www1.cbn.com/escaping-sexual-sin-consider-the-consequences).
Do not be selfish, consider your relationship with God as well as your relationship with others. When we get into sin, it affects our relationship with God and with our fellow humans. Are you really willing to risk it all for a few minutes (or hours, or even days) pleasure?
It is God’s will for us to rise above temptations and walk in righteousness, but we must first of all be humble through submission to the wisdom that God gives to us via His word. One important way to can conquer temptation is by pushing aside our selfish desires and giving serious consideration to how our behaviour would affect our walk with the Lord, damage the cause of Christ, and destroy our families and the lives of others.
I hope this post (and indeed the series) has blessed you. Stay blessed and pass it on.
Further scripture reading:
Colossians 3:5; Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Corinthian 10:8; Romans 5:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8; Psalm 119:9; Proverbs 4:23–26; John 8:11; 1 Corinthians 2:14; 6:18–20; 10:13; Ephesians 6:17; Timothy 2:22; Galatians 6:7-8.
Light Rays 